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London 2012 Olympics: women's football, live

London 2012 Olympics women's football live

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

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Welcome to our second live Olympics blog of the day. Already today, Great Britain's women kicked off the Games with a win over New Zealand in Cardiff, while USA came from two goals down to beat France 4-2 and world champions Japan beat Canada 2-1.

Brazil currently lead Cameroon 2-0, while we also have two 7.45pm kick-offs to bring your way: Sweden v South Africa and Colombia v North Korea.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:10:47 PM

It was hardly the most inspirational of games in Cardiff, but Team GB won't care. They were the better team in very warm conditions in the Welsh capital. Here's manager Hope Powell's take:

[[quote "I thought New Zealand started better and it took us time to get to grips with the game. But the players put in an admirable performance in the conditions."]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:21:52 PM

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium may have been only half full, but it was still the second biggest attendance at a competitive international football game in Wales for seven years.

And Britain's Karen Carney is hardly complaining. She said:

[[quote "The home crowd are fantastic, it was amazing to come out to them. I am really pleased we gave the crowd something to be cheering about."]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:27:02 PM

Away from the football for a minute - news is coming through that China has been forced to replace a member of its men's [[blue gymnastics]] team after 2004 pommel horse gold medallist Teng Haibin tore a muscle in his forearm.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:33:45 PM

Here's a quick picture from the USA-France game earlier on. Email in if you've got any witty captions.

Over in Cardiff it's half time - and Brazil, unsurprisingly, are well on top. They lead Cameroon 2-0 through a Francielle free kick and a Renata header inside the first 10 minutes.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:44:40 PM

We have an early frontrunner in the caption competition, and it comes from within the office. Mike Norrish suggests Good Hands Solo.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:46:15 PM

Sceptics might point to disappointing crowds elsewhere, but there has certainly been a lot of excitement in Cardiff. Tom Williams, the brother of my esteemed colleague Tim, is volunteering at the Millennium Stadium today. He reports, somewhat breathlessly:

[[quote Said hello to Pato, Thiago Silva, Oscar, Marcelo, Sandro and the rest. Within three yards of Neymar. Best day ever?I just shook hands with Sandro. Think I'll support Tottenham now!Was chatty with Rafael da Silva, communicated with Neymar, Hulk, Pato, Marcelo, everyone in fact! Lifetime high.Oscar, Lucas Moura and Leandro Damiao. Dreamland.]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:50:19 PM

GOAL! Sweden 1-0 South Africa (Fischer, 7 mins)Not sure what to make of that one. Nilla Fischer has a pop from outside the area and it takes a wicked deflection - off an arm - to loop over South African keeper Roxanne Barker.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:52:33 PM

Staying in Coventry, and Marie Hammarstrom can't get closer to scoring. She strikes a rising ball against the inside of the post and it bounces along the goalline and out of harm's way.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 6:58:02 PM

If you're wondering why I've not mentioned the second game at Hampden Park much, it's because Korea DPR v Colombia is yet to kick off. We're already nearly 20 minutes late - we'll keep you informed as to whay that is.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:02:38 PM

GOAL! Sweden 2-0 South AfricaLisa Dahlkvist doubles her side's lead over in Coventry. Sweden rampant.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:06:51 PM

GOAL! Sweden 3-0 South AfricaAnd now it's three, after just 21 minutes. Lotta Schelin with the third, and South Africa are all at sea.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:07:03 PM

In Cardiff, Brazil are comfortably seeing out Cameroon. The South Americans still lead 2-0, with less than 20 minutes to go.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:11:02 PM

PENALTY TO BRAZILBrazilian captain Marta is brought down while trying to get on the end of a low cross.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:11:32 PM

GOAL! Brazil 3-0 CameroonMarta dusts herself off to slot the penalty home. Not a great spotkick, but the captain doesn't mind and Samba dances to celebrate.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:13:00 PM

An update on why the North Korea v Colombia game has been delayed from the @TelegraphSport Twitter feed:

[[tweet We understand that North Korea are refusing to play because there's a South Korean flag flying in Hampden Park...]]

We are ready for the anthems at Hampden Park, finally. Quite a few people seemed to have got bored of the wait and have gone home. There have already been six goals in Glasgow this afternoon, in fairness to them.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:44:48 PM

No further diplomatic hiccups to report in Glasgow. Here are the North Koreans singing their anthem

The second half is under way in Coventry, where South Africa face a huge battle to get back in the game. They trail Sweden 3-0.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 7:51:06 PM

It is being reported that London 2012 organisers have made an official apology to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea over the flag incident.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:00:16 PM

On the field, not a lot to report from either Glasgow or Coventry.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:01:17 PM

GOAL: Sweden 3-1 South AfricaI cursed that a bit. What a brilliant goal from Portia Modise. She spots Hedvig Lindahl off her line and lobs Sweden's goalkeeper from all of 40 yards. Wonderful strike.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:01:47 PM

GOAL: Sweden 4-1 South AfricaNo, I cursed that a lot. Great finish at the near post by Lotta Schellin for her second goal. Sweden take the wind right out of South Africa's sails. We are nearly half way through the second half at the City of Coventry Stadium.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:05:09 PM

Ping pong and general chaos in the South African penalty area after a good initial save by Roxanne Barker from Sofia Jakobsson. The ball eventually skims past the post for a Swedish corner, which comes to nothing.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:13:01 PM

Here's what Cardiff-based journalist Peter Law has to say about the flag incident:

[[tweet I reckon this flag mess up in Glasgow is going to steal a lot of positive headlines from Cardiff]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:14:22 PM

It's been announced that 18,000 people have been at the City of Coventry Stadium for today's two games - Japan v Canada and this one, Sweden v South Africa.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:18:30 PM

Their side has been outclassed, but the South African fans don't seem to care much:[[image i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02288/southafrica_2288369a.jpg ]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:21:20 PM

The game has been overshadowed, and that's probably a good thing: North Korea v Colombia is a slowburner, you might say. Still 0-0, with 35 minutes on the clock.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:25:04 PM

GOAL! North Korea 1-0 ColombiaVery fortuitous goal for Kim Song Hui. After a scramble in the box, the ball is poked against the North Korean player's shin, and rolls in for the opening goal of the game.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:29:06 PM

So, important question: what do we make of South Africa's kit? I reckon it's rather fetching.[[image i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02288/sa_2288384a.jpg ]]

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:33:21 PM

FINAL SCORE: Sweden 4-1 South Africa

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:34:47 PM

A deserved win for the Swedes, but the game will surely be remembered for Portia Modise's 45-yard wonder strike.

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:35:22 PM

Half time: North Korea 1-0 Colombia

by Huw Silk7/25/2012 8:37:32 PM

WRAP: OK folks, our time is up this evening. We would have six results for you at this time, but for a rather unfortunate incident which has delayed the North Korea-Colombia game by about an hour. It's been a good day for Sweden, Brazil, the United States, Japan and, of course, Great Britain. See you again tomorrow for more live coverage of the London 2012 Olympics.